Land packer



July 6,1965 NG. CO'OK A 3,192,838

LAND PACKER FIG. l.

July 6,1965 A G, COOK 3,192,838

I LAND PACKER Filed Jan. 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I7 23 dumm I. FIG. 6. /I E-lg- NDREw c. coeK "July 6 1965 A. G. COOK LAND PAGKER Filed Jan. 2' 1962 5 Sheecs-sheet 3 FIG. 7

HHHUIHT FIG/0' A United States Patent O LAND PAQKER Andrew G. Cook, Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada Filed Jian. 2, 1962, Ser. No. '163,628 7 Claims. (Cl. 9450) This invention concerns land packers, and in greater particularity concerns improved support arrangements in a towable land packer for guiding an axially ganged ar ray of annular packer wheels.

The compaction of soil as in road building and agricultural tillage requires relatively uniform application of pressure over all areas of the ground surface, and prior art packing implements have sought to achieve this objective by employing am'ally ganged annular packer wheels having a common axle passed through a large central bore in each annulus, Vto provide horizontal and vertical freedom of relative motions'between adjacent wheels. Since adjacent annuli require to be mutually axially restrained and in rubbing contact, such arrangements produce a relatively high friction force and increase the towing-load, especially over uneven ground.

1 Other systems have employed Vindependent axles on swinging or pivotingsub-frarnes connected with a main towing frame, which arrangement has the disadvantage that such frames are subjected to both axial displacements and considerable twisting forces, often causing adjacent wheels to come into contact andl decreasing usefullife of support elements. Y

-I am aware that it hasbeen proposed heretofore to arrange annular packer wheels in axially ganged contacting relation between ground-engaging frame-supported end wheels, and'to employ a transverse frame equipped with sets of spring-loaded rollers engagingthe annular bores of each packer wheel to permit towage While allowing some freedom of relative vertical movement. Such structure imposes higher towing loads with increased wear rates, by failing to guide each packer wheel positively for independent motion. Y A Iprovide, according to the invention, an improved land packer which avoids the disadvantages of prior art machines, by a construction which ,comprises a towable wheeled frame, carrying a transverse horizontalV framework in which are fixed a plurality of longitudinal subframes, each terminating at its forward and rearward ends in a transverse axle journalling a roller that guidedly engages the bore in an annular packer wheel, to maintain the latter in fore-and-aft direction, thefframework also supporting a plurality of elongate rollers journalled to rotate at right anglesto the packer wheel rolling axes and arranged to engageperipheral side -margins thereof to maintain verticality of the packerwheels. j Y By the provision of the support and towing structures outlined, a low draft implement may be realized in which each packer wheel is positively guided and stably supported for limited independent vetrical movement so that adjacent wheels do not slide or rub upon each other. The towability of the implement on rough ground and on side hills is improved, while the thrust rollers operate withv relative freedom from obstruction by trash, earth, and stones. It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a land packer construction wherein annular disc packer wheels are independently journalled for rotation about an axis which is restrained from movement in the support frame either axially or in the horizontal fore-andaft direction, but which is free to move vertically in th frame as the wheel passes over uneven ground.

It is another object of the invention to provide guide elements for positively guiding the tracking and rolling movement over the ground of each of a plurality of annular disc packer wheels with respect to a wheeled towable ice frame, by the arrangement of a rib or ribs and groove or grooves extending radially within the bore of each annulus for co-operative engagement with frame-supported thrust rollers spaced along a horizontal diameter of the annulus for preventing axial displacement and skew while y permitting some vertical'motion therebetween.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a three point suspension in a packer wheelsupport forrolling packer wheels employing thrust rollers engaging inwardly directed wheel lianges and other rollers engaging the sides of the wheel and journalling in the support about Y axes at right angles to the axes of the thrust rollers.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of positively acting supporting and guidingV structure for maintainingA an annular packer wheel in a constant `plane with respect to a'towing frame, wherein a pair of framesupported flanged or grooved rollers disposed at opposite sides of a central bore through an annular disc wheel are in free rolling contact with the wall of the bore permitting limited movement in the plane rof lthe disc but preventing relative axial lmovement between the rollers and thedisc, and wherein a further pair of frame-supported rollers vhaving axes at right angles to the roller axes engage the ,side margins of the annulus at points angularly spaced from the flanged rollers.

Still other objects land features of the invention vvili be made apparentfrom the exposition of preferred embodiments in which the invention may be realized or put into eifect, as now follows, with reference to the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective illustration of a land packer embodying the principles of the invention, in partly cut -away form as viewed from the left rear; i

FIGURE 2 is a cross Vsection taken on line 2 2 showing one form of thrust roller andannulus rib;

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5'` are sections similar to FIGURE` 2 showing alternative roller guiding arrangements;A

FIGURE 6 showsV in partial section a modiiication of the FIGURE 5structure;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional detail in part of an axle support and .roller journalling construction;

FIGURE 8 Vshows an elevation end viewtaken on line j 1 faces 11, whose lowermost portions compact areas of the ground which sustain the entire weight of each wheel. The wheelsv are contained and guided for rolling movement within a towing framework 13 having a forwardly extending A frame 14 equipped with a hitchilS for 'connection with a suitable vehicle such as a tractor (not shown). i

Transverse horizontal beam members 16 passing through wheel apertures 17 are connected between longitudinal side 'frames 18 lto rigidly brace the framework. A respective plurality of longitudinal thrust members 19 are iixed at spaced intervals along the length of the beam members. v

Each annular wheel 10 has a relatively thick rim portion 20 which is bounded by the ground-engaging face 11 and which is integrally formed on its radially inward side 21 with a projecting central rib or flange 22. Roller means 23 havingtheir peripheral surfaces shaped to complementarily engage the iianges are secured in the forward'and rearward ends of the thrust members 19 and with a longitudinal spacing so chosen 4that Vwhen one `roller 3,192,838.- natemea yitaly 6,1965.

bears against face 21 at oneside of the wheel aperture 16 the other roller has a small clearance from the face 21 opposite, but the clearance is not so great that the ange 22 may disengage from roller groove 24.

' Side faces 25 of each annulus are planar, and lie in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The side faces may be shaped integrally with rim 20 or they may be formed as radial out-turned flanges 26 as in FIGURES 2 and 6. Each annulus is maintained erect by a pair of vertically disposed rollers 27 which engage the side faces at points above the wheel axis. These rollers are supported upon and journalled on rods 28, which are secured by their upper ends in upper transverse frame member 29, and supported by their lower ends in extension bars 3G fixed upon thrust frame members 19.

Y Referring additionally to FIGURE 8, the maximum distance between the axes of forward and rearward rollers is so chosen in conjunction with the diameters of rollers 23, that the annulus is free to move horizontally only a small amount, while being also free to move vertically a considerably greater distance between limit positions 23' and 23 ras indicated by phantom outline positions. Accordingly, a packer wheel so constructed is free to roll over an obstruction, or to drop into a depression in the ground below adjacent wheels of the gang, without either lifting the packer frame or burdening it with the load of the wheel, provided the vertical displacements do not bring the rolling faces of the pair of rollers simultaneously into contact with wheel face 21. The extent to which the annulus is free to move in the frame while still retaining the rollers 23 captive with their grooves 24 engaged upon rib or ange 22 when theline between roller centers lies along a Wheel diameter, depends upon the depth -of the groove and rib. With suitable guide/ thrust rollers which have a diameter of the order of of the wheel diameter, the required rib height as measured radially is of the order of 1&0 of the wheel diameter if the roller maximum clearance lfrom face 21 `is of the order of lo the wheel diameter. Packer wheels of the larger sizes, for example from 3 to 4 feet in diameter, may have a total excursion between upper `and lower limit positions ranging from to l5 inches.

Since the presence of a hummock or boulder having a height greater than half of such excursion distance tends to cause an undue amount of localized compaction while leaving other land areas unpacked, the normal position of the thrust frames 19 and side frames 18 are preferably adjusted so that the line between roller centers is somewhat above a horizontal wheel diameter. This is effected, for example, by positioning axle 31 and mounting 32 with respect to the side frame, thereby establishing a datum with respect to ground-engaging wheels 70.

Such adjustment permits a correspondingly higher obstruction to be passed over with the packer wheel floating while reducing the distance to which the wheel may drop into a depression before being supported on the thrust frame.

Vertical rollers 27 are preferably paired at positions between adjacent packer wheels, one roller of each pair being disposed for rolling contact engagement with the side face of a respective wheel rim, and the rollers being spaced transversely so that they are either in direct rolling contact with each other, or very slightly spaced apart. In the latter relation, upon delection of a roller due to side thrust exerted by either or both adjacent wheels, the =pair come into contact. It will be apparent that since the vadjacent rollers are turning in opposite senses, they will roll freely upon each other.

When a pulling force is applied to hitch 15 to tow the packer, its individual wheels will each be urged in the direction of towing -pull by .the thrust force developed between the forward roller 23 and the face 21 of the wheel, causing the wheel to roll much as a hoop may be pulled along by a stick. The fore-and-aft alignment of the wheel will be maintained by the guiding action of the rib 22 engaging the respective grooves 24 of forward and rearward rollers 23, the engagement wi-th the groove of the latter roller by the wheel rib being relatively looser than the engagement with the forward roller where the sides 33 `of the roller grooves are ,bevelled The verticality of the wheel is maintained by the side rollers 27, so that any tendency for the wheel to incline laterally is resisted. Accordingly, operation of the packer on side hills is improved and the wheels roll straight along at all times, thereby requiring a minimum of pulling force.

Various alternative thrust/ guide roller and packer wheel forms may be employed, as will be described with reference to FIGURES 3 to 6. By employing a non-grooved roller 35 as in FIGURE 3, for guidedly engaging a pair of laterally spaced ribs or flanges 36, 37 hollow rollers formed as shell bodies ymay be used.

A groove 38 may be radially recessed into the inner face 21 of the packer` wheel for use as in FIGURE 4 with a ridged roller wherein cylindrical end boss portions 34 are separated by a ridged portion 39, the latter being formed with a prole complementary to that of the groove. The radial height of the ridge is made less than the radial depth of the wheel groove with respect to face 21.

A wheel rib formed with a domed or rounded shape in cross-section may be employed as in FIGURE 5 for engagement within groove roller 23. The rib 40 projects radially inwardly a lesser distance than the depth of grooves 41 in which it is received. Such rib section may be integrally formed in casting iron or steel rims 20.

The rim portion of a wheel 10 of the cross-sectional form similar to that shown in FIGURE 5 may be fabricated as a steel pressing as shown Vin FIGURE 6, having a rib 140 centered on face 21, and side anges 125 forming a curved channel section. Afxed to the rim by any suitable means are a peripheral group of sectoral weights i formed of metal or composition. Such sectoral bodies may have their ground-engaging faces 11 patterned in any suitable manner, and are preferable apertured at peripherally spaced intervals by stepped bores 42, 43. Headed bolt 44 is formed so as to be received in the bores, and has a shank formed with threaded bore 45 wherein is received a dat-head bolt 46, the latter being passed through the wheel rim from the side 21 into countersunk aperture 47. Other fastening means including permanently atixed clips or rivets may be used.

A replaceable roller and journal structure is detailed in FIGURE 7, showing in half section a roller 23 having a central groove 24 adapted to be received between a forwardly projecting'side flange 50 of channel section thrust member 19. The roller has a stepped bore wherein the bore 51 recessed inwardly from the right side of the roller has the largest diameter, a main bore 52 extends nearly through the roller, and connects with a lesser bore 53 opening into the left side. Axle bolt 54 having a straight shank 55 and threaded end 56 is made long enough that nut 57 and lock washer 58 may be received on the projecting threaded end.

A stepped diameter sleeve 48 has an internal bore 59 which is a sliding t upon the bolt shank and has an enlarged end 49 which provides a shoulder 60 against which stationary race of a radial thrust ball bearing l61 bears. A spacer sleeve 62 coaxial about sleeve 48 bears by its end against the inner races of each of the pair of thrust bearings 61, 61', while end sleeve 63 which is also coaxial with sleeve 48 extends between the outside of the inner race of 61' and the frame 50. The combined length of sleeve end portion 49, the axial lengths of the inner races, and of sleeves 62 and 63 is made only slightly less than the distance between anges '50 so that the assembly may be inserted therebetween, while pressure exerted yby turning down nut 57 maintains the inner races fixed in member 19.

The outer race of bearing 61 is held against the shoulaisaess der 64 formed between the junction of bores 53 and 52, and that of 61 is held against akeeper disc 66 removably held in bore 51 by spring ring 65 seated in groove 67 in the roller. A spacing sleeve 68 chosen so as to provide an axial separation of the inner races with respect to the separation of the outer races provides for pre-loading of the balls when the assembly is made. Suitable seals 70 are seated in the roller ends to wipe upon the sleeve portion 49 and upon the spacer sleeve 63. Sleeve 48 must have a length greater than the roller width, but less than the distance between opposed faces of frame extensions 50.

The roller assembly with its sealed bearings is readily removed by releasing nut 57 and lock washer 58, and withdrawing the bolt clear of the left-hand frame extension. annulus may be rolled out of line with respect to adjacent Wheels to enable maintenance operations to be carried out.

The embodiment of FIGURE 9 provides a relatively greater stability of packer wheel trailing, and permits a relatively greater vertical displacement for the annulus, by providing at all times for at least three-point guidance by rollers. The axes of rollers 23 may be relatively more closely spaced, so that when either roller is engaged with the face 21 of the Wheel theother roller, located along a Wheel diameter from the first, may be completely unguided by the rib 22. The guidance is provided by employing a pair of rollers 27, 27', angularly spaced apart at about 60 degrees of arc from nearest roller 23 and from each other. The provision of such multiple side rollers determines the plane of the wheel by reference to three points, two of which at all times are the points of contact of the rim side faces with each of rollers 27, 27', and a third point located at the engagement of rib 22 in groove 24 on a roller 23. It is to be understood that the support rods Z8 are made suitably stiff that side thrusts will not allow a disengaged roller 23 such as the rearward roller to be forced out of registry with the plane of wheel rib 22.

While specific and preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the accom-V panying drawings, it is to be understood that many variations of dimensions and frame re-arrangernents may be eiected as will yet retain the teachings of my invention, whose scope is delineated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a land packer, Y

(l) Va towable transverse horizontally extending frame,

(2) having ground engaging support wheels journalled in opposite ends thereof,

(3) a plurality of thrust and guiding members in said frame aligned with the towing direction and having thrust roller means journalled in the forward and rearward ends of each of said members,

(i) portions of the periphery of said roller means being radially oset from adjacent portions, and

When one or both rollers are so removed, the" (4) a likerplurality of annular packer wheels disposed between said support wheels and spaced closely axial-Y ly apart along said frame,

' (ii) the inner periphery of said packer wheels comprising complementary radially formedsurface portions engageable by and spaced radially from opposed peripheral portions of'respective Vroller means interftting said inner surface portions in flange-and-groove relationship, whereby to prevent axial displacement of said packer wheels with respect to said frame but allowing limited displacement therebetween in the vertical and being angularly spaced, said other roller means Vengaging the side faces of said wheels.

4. A packer as claimed in claim 2 wherein said other rolier means are journalled to rotate about vertical aXes and are disposed in pairs on respective side faces of said packer Wheels.

5. A packer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frameV is carried above ground level at such distance that the point of Contact of a thrust Vroller with the inner periphery of a respective packer wheel rolling on level land normally lies above the center of said packer wheel.

6. A packer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said packerV wheels have a medianly disposed radially inwardly projecting rib' and said thrust rollers have complementarily grooved cylindrical faces having said rib received in said groove. Y

7. A packer as claimed n claim 1 whereinsaid packer wheels have a medianlydisposedgroove projecting radially outwardly into the wheel and said thrust rollers have a medianly disposed complementarily shaped disc portion received in said groove. Y

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,219,793 3/17V winner 94-50 1,419,555 6/22 Garwood 94-5a 1,811,394 6/31 Hornsby 94-50 2,549,182 4/51 Ela-,naam 94-50 2,943,541 7/610 Dunn et a1. 94-50 FOREIGN PATENTS 761,174 1/34 France.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner'.

McAlpine 94-50 

1. IN A LAND PACKER, (1). A TOWABLE TRANSVERSE HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING FRAME, (2) HAVING GROUND ENGAGING SUPPORT WHEELS JOURNALLED IN OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, (3) A PLURALITY OF THRUST AND GUIDING MEMBERS IN SAID FRAME ALIGNED WITH THE TOWING DIRECTION AND HAVING THRUST ROLLER MEANS JOURNALLED IN THE FORWARD AND REARWARD ENDS OF EACH OF SAID MEMBERS, (I) PORTIONS OF THE PERIPHERY OF SAID ROLLER MEANS BEING RADIALLY OFFSET FROM ADJACENT PORTIONS, AND 